Car wash = coil meltdown?

[Kroegarn]

Third time is NOT the charm I'm not that frequent at the car wash for three reasons:

3. I have the possibility to wash at home, which is convenient and no queues.
2. It saves some money to spend on more fun stuff on the car
1. The last two times the car ignition system have had a major meltdown

The symptoms are the following after the car wash; works fully normal and fine, after one pull at WOT the car goes down and almost dies. Starting it up again it barely can hold the idle (about 400 rpm), pushing the throttle at WOT again will give about 1500 rpm with A LOT of soot. The only way to get the car back home is just to go at WOT. On 6th gear it barely can manage about 60km/h.

WHAT the F**K can create this kind of short circuit to the coils, because the only remedy the last two times was to change the coilspack and ignition modules? So that is not so cheap car washes Washing at home have not caused these problems.

Remembered now that it actually has happend a fourth time but then I just got the car towed back home when it happened and one night in the garage solved the problem... that did not work the last two times when I drove it home.

Any hints or ideas is welcome...

[david]

that sounds familiar mate.

[rynaqui]

Did you check your MAF? I think a dodgy MAF can cause bad idle as well.

[Kroegarn]

Did you check your MAF? I think a dodgy MAF can cause bad idle as well.

Thanks.. any ideas are welcome

But since the idle is the minor issue and the big one is that the engine does not have the power to rev above 1500 RPM even when "pedal to metal" is engaged, it usually is not the MAF?

The last two times "new" coils and ignition modules was the solution... but it has to short circuit somewhere when enough water is applied?

[Sleeper_Avant]

do you also get under car washed too?

i had a soggy POS on a URS4 after expensive car wash that also did underside of car

didnt ever have a problem with the same engine in my A4 though

[A80Avant]

do you also get under car washed too?

i had a soggy POS on a URS4 after expensive car wash that also did underside of car

didnt ever have a problem with the same engine in my A4 though

How would washing the underside of our cars reach the coils? I'd find that very difficult!

[Monkeymagic]

is there any extra holes drilled in bulk head from plenum. grommet missing allowing water to ignition module? ?
is the rubber seal that runs along fire wall there possible water running on under side of bonnet to modules.
all purely guesses though!

[Acidburn]

has the ignition system been uprated or is it just stock?

[QuattroFever]

Steam can cause some pretty awful probs with electrics in large enough quantity. Water+hot exhaust?

[Sleeper_Avant]

How would washing the underside of our cars reach the coils? I'd find that very difficult!

i would also find it dificult for water to get into the coils also.

i never mentioned wet coils did i

[benntenn67]

i would also find it dificult for water to get into the coils also.

i never mentioned wet coils did i

No ... but the OP did

The last two times "new" coils and ignition modules was the solution... but it has to short circuit somewhere when enough water is applied?

[Sleeper_Avant]

POS/ignition modules was my reply matey
my experience was these getting moisture after a car wash

[A80Avant]

i would also find it dificult for water to get into the coils also.

i never mentioned wet coils did i

POS are also very high up in the engine bay. Still very weird

[mcandmar]

Unplug the two big round wiring loom connections on the firewall to see if any water got inside.

[andyg plym]

I'd be checking maf and also make sure the ecu hasn't got wet from any leaks